Dooley Asking for $30 Million More for Courthouse Renovation

CLAYTON, Mo. (KMOX) — A year ago, St. Louis County voters approved a 100-million dollar project to build a new family courthouse next to the main courthouse, and renovate the 40-year-old structure. Now, County Executive Charlie Dooley has asked the council to approve another $30 million for the project.

Dooley deferred comment to the County’s Chief Operating Officer Garry Earls, who says there are some big problems that are going to cost a lot to fix.

“In the course of our development of the project, as we looked at this project further the part of the work that is related to the old courthouse appears to be far more expensive than we had originally estimated,” Earls told KMOX. One example he gave was the installation of a new asbestos system.

Contracting bids for the project are due in June. One of three front runners, Alberici Construction, made a campaign contribution to Dooley on May 7th.

One week later, Dooley asked for more money for the project.

Earls said the courthouse renovation project has been in the planning stages for the last 14 years.